Phillies Announce 2013 IronPigs Coaching Staff

Per the IronPigs, the Phillies have rounded out their Minor League coaching staffs. Joining new manager Dave Brundage on the ‘Pigs staff is the returning hitting coach Sal Rende and Ray Burris, who joins the ‘Pigs as their pitching coach replacing Rod Nichols. Rende returns to the ‘Pigs for his third season as hitting coach while Burris joins the Phillies organization after an five-year stint with Detroit and a memorable playing career for the A’s, Mets, and Expos.

From the press release:

Burris, 62, becomes just the second pitching coach in team history. The native of Duke, Okla., spent the last five seasons as pitching coach at Erie (AA) after one-year stops in Oneonta (Short-Season A) and West Michigan (A) during his first two seasons with the Tigers.

Prior to his time with Detroit, Burris served in a variety of capacities at both the Major and Minor League levels. After retiring as a player with the Brewers in 1987, he began the post-playing phase of his career as a minor league pitching coach for Milwaukee for two seasons (1988-89). He then joined the Brewers’ big league staff as the bullpen coach for two years (1990-91) before later serving as a roving instructor, special assistant to the general manager, advanced scout and community development employee while with Milwaukee.

Rende, 57, embarks on his third season as hitting coach for the IronPigs after a three-year stint as roving hitting instructor for the Phillies. Rende also spent his first four seasons in the organization as Triple-A hitting coach for both Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (2004-06) and Ottawa (2007).

Rende’s post-playing resume is extensive and impressive and includes managerial stints in the Chicago-A (1984), Seattle (1986-87) and Kansas City (1988-91) farm systems. In 11 seasons as a Minor League skipper, he posted eight sinning seasons, six first-place finishes, three league championships and a combined 736-618 (.544) record. He was named Minor League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News and the American Association in 1990, going 86-60 with the Triple-A Omaha Royals.

Additionally, the Phillies have announced coaches and roving instructors for all levels: